November  2008

My Early Morning

Every morning I awake at 7AM, read the news online and go through emails.  I fit time in my schedule for early morning exercise.  I routinely jog either outside or inside on my treadmill when the weather is bad.  For breakfast it’s a large glass of tomato juice, orange juice at times, but I prefer tomato or vegetable.

Bonnie’s Boo Boo

Bonnie had made a full recovery from her recent transmission transplant when she got a boo boo. One of the office staff was taking her for an oil change when he was in an accident. For awhile there was some doubt as to whether or not Bonnie would pull through, but she is tough! I look forward to having her repaired and back with me on the road. I will update soon.

In the meantime I am using an Enterprise rental.  It is a good vehicle, but with only 8,000 miles, she is very new to the roads of Illinois.

Radogno elected as Senate leader

Illinois Senate Republicans voted to name Sen. Christine Radogno, of Lemont, the leader of the 96th General Assembly Senate Republican Caucus.  Sen. Radogno made  history as the first female elected to lead any of the four caucuses of the General Assembly.

Congratulations Christine!

Glen Follis

My good friend and supporter, Glen Follis, visited Springfield to meet with me.  I was more than happy to show Glen the beauty of the Capitol. He was very impressed with the scope of the State offices, the architecture, and the Hall of Governors. Glen also enjoyed watching Illinois government in action observing the Senate and House Chambers during session. 

Josh at the Capitol

Josh Lanning works in the office part time while he is attending Illinois State University full time. Josh was the Road Warrior on a recent trip to Springfield. While we were there, we had this picture taken on the Senate floor.

Sharing some Email

I do get a fair bit of email and I read all of it personally. The closure of Pontiac Correctional Center has been quite an ordeal for many, especially for the families that directly work at the facility. Thank you for the notes about PCC. Know that I am working on this day and night, seven days a week. I am using every legal and ethical avenue available to me. Know that I am not throwing in the towel!

Here is some of the feedback:

*Dan: We know you are trying your best to help us all to keep the prison open. Wanted to say thanks for your hard work. And to tell you to have a very good Happy Thanksgiving.  Friends Sharon & Ron

*I know the people in Pontiac & area appreciate what you are doing.

*Thank you for the update.  By the way....what a dynamic speech in the tent
on rally day for the Pontiac Prison. I don't think I have ever heard you in
that form before.  GREAT JOB.  KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.  Gerald

*Continue to stand up for what you believe in.  We believe in you and hope
you can continue to influence those in office. Wishing you a blessed Thanksgiving.

Kathy

*You have been on my mind today. I am proud of you because you have worked very hard to correct this terrible act the Governor has performed. It is sad he is not considering what the end result will be, when  these transfers are made. I will continue to pray the judge will weigh all the information. Then come up with the correct solution to solve the  problem. Please take care of you.

Chat later.  Glenda

*Thanks Dan.

I was there on the day you spoke to all of the concerned in Springfield when
we marched on the Capitol.  I have also seen you speak at other events.  I
seen the stress this has brought you that day when you spoke.  I was also
the person who shouted  'he's pissed!!!" just after your speech.  Your reply
was priceless!!!

Let me be the first to say that I support you and all of your efforts for
the people of Livingston County.  Regardless of what the Governor does we
all must "go on".  While I would hate to see the prison close (as I work
there) I am more concerned about what will happen to the property and the
city after the closing.  It would be a shame to see businesses close, etc.
as a direct result of this foolish decision.

Happy Thanksgiving to you Senator, and I look forward to you and the lady
from Joliet running on a ticket this next election?

Wayne

Jeffrey Mark-Warren

Friends, Jeff and Meagan, recently welcomed home their son, Jeffrey Mark-Warren. Jeff tells me that Jeffrey is a feisty little guy!

One of our men that make us proud in Afghanistan

Kevin Borntreger, a member of Company B, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry of
the Illinois Army National Guard, is deployed to Afghanistan along with his
Guard unit.  He was a page for the Illinois Senate when I got to know him.
Kevin  and his colleagues interact with the local Afghan people so we sent a
box of toiletries, soaps, candy, tissues, slippers and toys for him to
distribute. A special thanks to Gwen for the kids items she donated for the
cause. Following is the e mail Kevin sent us.

"Hello!  I'm sorry that I haven't had the chance to email back.  I did
receive the package a week or so ago.  Thank you so much for that.  Please
let Dan know that I really appreciate his initiative.  Due to the great
influx of mail I have received to support the cause of these children, I
have set up a system.  When I get mail in, I sort the things for kids out
into bins.  One will have toothbrushes and toothpaste, another school
supplies, etc.  So, the pictures I do have may not be specifically of the
items that were sent by you, but I know that the pictures I just took a few
days ago were when I was handing out a good chunk of what came in your
package.  It's hard to get good pictures in the middle of pulling security,
trying to hand stuff out and keep order.  The kids aren't used to getting
things, and in their culture it's the "strongest prevails", so I'm trying my
hardest to teach them the concept of making a line and going one at a time.
As you can see from the pictures, that didn't work too well.  I'll attach
what I have and try to get more to you the next time I am able to hand out
things to the kids.  Again, thank you very much for your gift.  As for
anything more, for now I am stocked about as full as I can get.  In the
spring, I will put out what I can use to start handing more things out.  For
now, we generally see the same few hundred kids at our three district
stations, but I would like to get a day planned to go to the schools and
other places for the sole purpose of handing out supplies.  We will see!
Thanks again and have a great Thanksgiving!" ... Kevin

Ehren Martin

Many of you know Erik Woehrmann from his involvement in our race for Secretary of State. I recently received an announcement from Erik and Ellen about the birth of their third son-Ehren Martin. Congratulations to Erik, Ellen and sons.

Dr. Michael Menis

I stopped to see Dr. Michael Menis, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, and toured his office while in Crystal Lake. Michael is a great friend and it was nice to meet his staff and see his operation.

Grand Old Flag and Pontiac Guard Deployment

Harold Schook bought this 46 star flag on a house sale several years ago.  The 46 star flag was in use from 1908-1912, thus truly making it a Grand “Old” Flag.  Because the flag is fragile, Harold has only displayed it on two special occasions-the last two deployments of the Pontiac National Guard.  Jo Regenold and Donna Densmore are shown with Harold.

Rainbow PUSH Coalition

Reverend Jesse Jackson heads the Rainbow PUSH Coalition headquartered in Chicago. I had a meeting with Reverend Jackson and was asked to stay for his forum. It was a great experience. Reverend Jackson, along with his son Jonathan, energized and excited the crowd with their speeches.

Swing through Northeast part of District

I try to get out into my District as much as possible, but had been holding off until after the election so it would not appear that I was looking for votes. With the election over, Barb and I journeyed to Gilman, Crescent City, Watseka and Onarga.

Gilman Healthcare Center

I stopped at Gilman Healthcare Center to distribute some energy efficient light bulbs obtained as part of the Ameren electric agreement from 2007. I enjoyed visiting with several of the residents. I met one lady, Ida, who went to school with my Uncle Melvin!

Crescent City Grade School 5th Grade

Jody Munsterman’s 5^th Grade Class completed a unit on elections. I talked to them about the election and what my job as a Senator entails. As part of their curriculum, the students made election scrapbooks, which they showed me. They have so much energy and enthusiasm!

58 Years of Dedication

Iroquois County Circuit Clerk Arlene Hines will be retiring after serving county government for 58 years. I stopped to thank her for her service and congratulate her on her retirement. It will seem strange visiting the Courthouse and not seeing Arlene’s smiling face.

Iroquois County ESDA

After the flood in Watseka last winter, I sent several cases of energy efficient light bulbs to be distributed to the residents. ESDA coordinator, Carl Gerdovich, and Assistant Coordinator, Michael Johnson, showed me the improvements to the ESDA operation, including computers donated for their use.

Busy on the Road

Peoria

It is a busy time right now. I was in Peoria interviewing with Channel 25 News. At another event later that day, I saw my friend, Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis. 

Congressman Johnson

I ran into Congressman Tim Johnson while I was on the road. I served with Tim in the Illinois House of Representatives. He does a great job representing the 15^th District in Washington, D.C.

Mag and Glenda

I always enjoy visiting with friends, especially those I have known for a long time. Mag Littlejohn and Glenda Piquard have been friends for a quite some time.

Hennepin Ethanol Plant

I toured Marquis Energy’s newly constructed ethanol production facility located near Hennepin, Illinois. Extracting ethanol from grain is a fermentation / distillation type process, similar to that used to produce beverage alcohol. The facility was extremely impressive from its massive fermentation tanks to its shipping and receiving facility located right on the Illinois River.

Route 66 Fundraiser

I held a fundraiser at the Route 66 Hotel and Conference Center in Springfield. It was great to see so many friends and supporters. Deb Fox and Mayor Janie Grimes were there to help out. It was a great time. Thank you to everyone who participated.

Fight Continues Despite Prisoners Being Moved

“Four years ago, right in this very room, we met and talked about the very same thing we will be talking about today. Today there is a difference,” Sen. Dan Rutherford, (R-Chenoa), told the audience at this morning’s Community Update on the closing of Pontiac Correctional Center. “Four years ago the governor was talking about closing PCC and didn’t do it then. It looks like he is going to do it now.”

Rutherford was one of several speakers at breakfast meeting held at Pontiac VFW regarding the Dec. 31 closing of PCC.

Sis’ Birthday

My sister Debi recently had her birthday. We had a surprise lunch for her at the office. Our tradition for everyone’s birthday is to bring out the big, old candle for them to blow out. That candle has been around for years – Sis may say she has too. . . . I know I have been.

Mitt Romney

Mitt Romney was back in Illinois recently. It was good to see him again and have an opportunity to visit. I was Mitt’s Illinois Coordinator during the Presidential Primary and had not seen him since the Republican Convention. 

Mayor Janie Grimes

Iuka Mayor Janie Grimes, a good friend of mine, stopped by the Capitol Building when she was in Springfield for some meetings. I was at the Capitol for veto session so I gave her the grand tour. We went through the Hall of Governors, Senate and House Chambers and some of the offices. Janie really enjoyed the beauty and architecture.

With eyes on leadership post,  Radogno meets Rutherford, Righter in Bloomington-Normal

BLOOMINGTON -- State Sen. Christine Radogno believes she would be a good choice to replace Frank Watson as the minority leader in the Illinois Senate.
 
 Radogno, a Lemont Republican, was in Bloomington on Thursday along with state Sens. Dan Rutherford of Chenoa and Dale Righter of Mattoon.

GOP Senate Minority Leader Watson

Senator Frank Watson had a mild stroke a few weeks ago. He is receiving therapy and hopes to be home soon. Frank is doing very well and headed for a full recovery. It is good to see him smiling with his grandson Brennan.

Kevin in Afghanistan

Kevin Borntreger, who is a member of Company B, 2^nd Battalion, 130^th Infantry of the Illinois Army National Guard, was recently deployed to Afghanistan along with his Guard unit.  He was a page for the Illinois Senate. Kevin mentioned in an email that he and his colleagues interact with the local Afghan people giving them water, food, and candy for the children.

I am organizing a care package to send to Kevin and his Guard unit for the children.  We are collecting flip flop sandals, hand sanitizer, toothbrushes/toothpaste, combs, hair brushes, hair ties for the girls, pens, paper, coloring books, candy/sweets, toys, etc.  If you would like to donate any of these items please send them to my Pontiac Office.

Jogging and Recycle

A friend of mine, Jeff, was good enough to take time on a Sunday from him kids and wife to be the Road Warrior (traveling to events with me for the day….I am very appreciative!) and we had a conversation about my website 

He knew that I jogged each morning and if the weather is good it would be outside. I would collect cans and litter on the way and the send it to recycle. What wasn’t clear to him, and those he talked to, was how I could jog with a recycle tub in tow!

The query made sense to me, so let me clarify: I jog 20 to 30 minutes each morning from my home. I have a plastic bag that I use to put cans and paper I scoop up on the way. When I get back to my garage I dump the gatherings in a recycle box.

It is interesting to note the ‘gatherings’ I get on a Monday, after a weekend, compared to the same route later on a weekday. Monday is a lot and by Thursday it is cleaned up. Busch Lite 16 ounce seems to be the current favorite. If I could catch the numb heads doing the trashing, I would kick their backside and turn them over to the Sheriff for a taxpayer paid night in Livingston County Jail!

With my routine I get a bit of exercise and do my part to compensate for jerks that throw beer cans and junk from their car. I don’t care how many laws we have about litter, it really takes a social consciousness.